Under attack for rise in power tariff, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today justified the increase saying the people will have to pay if they want round-the-clock electricity supply.
Dikshit even said that if people are finding it difficult to pay the billed amount they they should cut down consumption of electricity on various electrical appliances.
"We have been supplying power round-the-clock. We are not supplying power periodically. When 24 hours supply is ensured then the Opposition says bill is too high. If you consume electricity for 24 hours, then you do not pay for five hours' consumption.
"If you cannot afford the electricity bill then cut down your consumption of electricity. Future generations will never realise there used to be seven to eight hours power cut in Delhi," Dikshit said addressing a meeting at Chhatarpur area in South Delhi.
Justifying the hike in power tariff, the Chief Minister said the cost of power production has resulted in hike in power tariff.
"If somebody is finding it difficult to pay the bill then he can use a fan instead of a cooler. One can always cut down consumption of power to limit the bill," she said.
Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel accused the Chief Minister of "favouring" discoms and ignoring the alleged corruption in these power distribution companies.
"She (Dikshit) is favouring discoms. There is mass corruption in electricity by the discoms but Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, instead of checking it, is giving statement about electricity being used by poor people," Goel said.
The BJP has been targeting the city government on the issue of hike in power tariff and accused it of siding with the private power discoms.
